£15k Hot Hatch
Discussion
I wouldn't fancy the VRS as I find it's a bit dull.
I recon the ST is underrated and hear it drives very well.
The 308 has plenty of kit and for me is the most interesting, forged engine, LSD, massive brakes but the £1500+ for Alcon disks would make me balk massively... Good choices though!
I recon the ST is underrated and hear it drives very well.
The 308 has plenty of kit and for me is the most interesting, forged engine, LSD, massive brakes but the £1500+ for Alcon disks would make me balk massively... Good choices though!
Having recently bought an ST3 and being a Ford fan I guess I'm biased, but I would recommend the Focus. You should be able to pick up a good example with your budget, and is a good all-rounder when it comes to hot hatches.
If you want something a little more grown up then the Golf/Octavia/Leon would be an option to consider.
(no view either way on the Peugeot. Have you considered one of the Kia/Hyundai offerings?)
If you want something a little more grown up then the Golf/Octavia/Leon would be an option to consider.
(no view either way on the Peugeot. Have you considered one of the Kia/Hyundai offerings?)
JASC1993 said:
Looking for some help, have a budget of 15k to spend on a hot hatch. I will probably do about 12k a year, 5 doors is a must so my disabled mum can get in and out of the back.
Top 3 so far:
1 - Octavia VRS
2 - Focus ST-3
3 - 308 GTi
Thanks
They are all good cars, but slightly different so you need to go and have a look / drive and see what is best for you. Top 3 so far:
1 - Octavia VRS
2 - Focus ST-3
3 - 308 GTi
Thanks
I drive a 308 GTi and rate it highly. But of the three it is the smallest in the back, made worse by the front seat design. If back seat space is important then I can see why the VRS tops your list.
I wouldn't personally recommend the 308 GTi
I learnt to drive in a 208, which had a smaller than average steering wheel. Didn't like it. Apparently Peguout put it on all their cars nowadays because it makes it a more engaging drive. I didn't personally find that.
Also its French, so not the best reliability.
Focus ST would be good. However I'm not personally that keen on the revised back end on the facelift models, but they do have the revised infotainment system.
I learnt to drive in a 208, which had a smaller than average steering wheel. Didn't like it. Apparently Peguout put it on all their cars nowadays because it makes it a more engaging drive. I didn't personally find that.
Also its French, so not the best reliability.
Focus ST would be good. However I'm not personally that keen on the revised back end on the facelift models, but they do have the revised infotainment system.
M135 would be a great car but probably not great for getting your mum in and out of. My 140 is fab but they’re not that big inside and pretty low too.
The vRS is not that exciting but having had one for the last four years it’s a great car to live with day to day. Loads of room, no real silly quirks. Mines done 80k now and I’m going to miss it in many ways when it goes back. They’re not cool (all my mates take the piss) but they’re very good daily’s.
My biggest bugbear with Fords is that the infotainment is crap. It’s a silly thing to get hung up on but in a daily it’s irritating.
The vRS is not that exciting but having had one for the last four years it’s a great car to live with day to day. Loads of room, no real silly quirks. Mines done 80k now and I’m going to miss it in many ways when it goes back. They’re not cool (all my mates take the piss) but they’re very good daily’s.
My biggest bugbear with Fords is that the infotainment is crap. It’s a silly thing to get hung up on but in a daily it’s irritating.
VRS - Plenty of space but ultimately a dull hot hatch
Focus ST3 - Good all rounder but engine has zero character, handling isn't great either
308 GTi - Never driven one, can't comment
Golf GTi Edition 35 would make an excellent all rounder, still a bit dull but least it'll depreciate less than everything above.
Megane RS250/265/275 is the best hot hatch out this era, 3 door though so doesn't work for you.
TL:DR - Golf GTi Edition 35 would be my recommendation.
Focus ST3 - Good all rounder but engine has zero character, handling isn't great either
308 GTi - Never driven one, can't comment
Golf GTi Edition 35 would make an excellent all rounder, still a bit dull but least it'll depreciate less than everything above.
Megane RS250/265/275 is the best hot hatch out this era, 3 door though so doesn't work for you.
TL:DR - Golf GTi Edition 35 would be my recommendation.
I'd pick a Leon Cupra 280/290 over the Octavia but the Skoda is more practical. A MK7 Golf GTI would be what I'd go for FWD, as long as it's practical enough for your needs. All that power would need 4WD for me, but I think the MK7 R will be either out of your price range or come under ropey example territory.
Court_S said:
M135 would be a great car but probably not great for getting your mum in and out of. My 140 is fab but they’re not that big inside and pretty low too.
The vRS is not that exciting but having had one for the last four years it’s a great car to live with day to day. Loads of room, no real silly quirks. Mines done 80k now and I’m going to miss it in many ways when it goes back. They’re not cool (all my mates take the piss) but they’re very good daily’s.
My biggest bugbear with Fords is that the infotainment is crap. It’s a silly thing to get hung up on but in a daily it’s irritating.
Every hot hatch is pretty low The vRS is not that exciting but having had one for the last four years it’s a great car to live with day to day. Loads of room, no real silly quirks. Mines done 80k now and I’m going to miss it in many ways when it goes back. They’re not cool (all my mates take the piss) but they’re very good daily’s.
My biggest bugbear with Fords is that the infotainment is crap. It’s a silly thing to get hung up on but in a daily it’s irritating.
There's a reason the Golf GTi has such fantastic residuals and is so popular- it's very difficult to make a convincing case in favour of others as an all rounder. It's not particularly low, it has reasonable space for 4/5 , and is a very pleasant place to spend time. It's also a very competent drivers car, quick and sorted without being quite class leading. But its not imaginative or unusual. Personally I'd go for the Peugeot, a better drive, just about as practical. good looking and out of the ordinary.
Dblue said:
There's a reason the Golf GTi has such fantastic residuals and is so popular- it's very difficult to make a convincing case in favour of others as an all rounder. It's not particularly low, it has reasonable space for 4/5 , and is a very pleasant place to spend time. It's also a very competent drivers car, quick and sorted without being quite class leading. But its not imaginative or unusual. Personally I'd go for the Peugeot, a better drive, just about as practical. good looking and out of the ordinary.
Ditto GTD and Golf R and Golf TSI + of course the GTI and GTI PP. Boot is fiddly though - it certainly cannot take a bag of golf clubs
Welshbeef said:
Every hot hatch is pretty low
Yes, but my M140 is a lot lower than say my vRS. The in-laws struggle getting in and out of the 140 due to it being low but not the vRS. It’s a dull thing to worry about but the OP mentioned it needed to be able to get his mum in and out easily.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff